Methods, systems, and computer program products for associating a name with a network path

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for associating a name with a network path. In an aspect, a first message is received, from a first node by a second node via a first network path in a network. A first symbolic identifier of the first node is identified, wherein the first network path includes a first hop included in communicatively coupling the first node and the second node. Second path information is identified that identifies a second hop in a second network path included in communicatively coupling the second node and a third node. A second message is sent, identifying the first symbolic identifier and the first hop, to the third node via the second hop to associate the first symbolic identifier with a third network path that includes a node included in at least one of the first hop and the second hop. In another aspect, a second node in a network detects a first node in first hop included in communicatively coupling the second node and the first node. A first hop identifier for the first hop is determined. The second node sends the first hop identifier to a topology service to include a representation of the first node in a first location in a topological space, wherein the first location is identified relative to the second node based on the first hop identifier.